SPIEF 2024
The 2024 edition of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) takes place from June 5 to 8. The theme of this year's event is “The foundation of a multipolar world - forming new points of growth”.

SPIEF 2024: ASEAN Youth Leader Sees Potential for Growth in Indonesia-Russia Cooperation

On June 5-8, the Russian city of Saint Petersburg is hosting the 2024 International Economic Forum. The event has been held annually since 1997. The main theme of this year's forum is "The Foundations of a Multipolar World: the Formation of New Areas of Growth."
Sputnik
There is ample opportunity for enhanced cooperation between Indonesia and Russia, particularly in the fields of energy and technology, Senjaya Mulia, founder of the ASEAN Youth Organization, told Sputnik Africa on the sidelines of the 2024 Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Wednesday.
He highlighted the potential for Indonesia's burgeoning economy to benefit from Russia's expertise in areas like sustainable energy.
"Indonesia and Russia have had good cooperation since long time ago and I think one of the area is actually energy," Mulia stated. "We as Indonesian, I think we are looking for more cooperation… as well as the new technology for the sustainable energy, you know clean energy. I think this is something that probably can work together between Indonesia and Russia."
Mulia, who is attending SPIEF for the second time, emphasized the importance of fostering deeper understanding and collaboration between the two nations. He sees the forum as a valuable platform for networking and building relationships that can lead to concrete partnerships.
SPIEF 2024
'We Rely on Countries Like Russia' to Help us Solve Clean Water Issues: Sierra Leone's Minister

"This forum provides so many opportunities," he said. "So, we come here bringing more young people, young entrepreneurs coming from different countries, and then we are trying to network. We are trying to do cooperation and then after we go back to our country, we can bring something. And I think this is very important for us to... increase the cooperation between our countries and also Russia and have a deeper understanding of how we can make a business and how we can develop the future together."

The Indonesian also acknowledged the negative stereotypes surrounding Russia in some circles in light of the current geopolitical situation in the world, emphasizing the need for greater cultural exchange and personal connections to dispel misconceptions.

"I think having better understanding between countries including, Indonesia and Russia, is actually very important," Mulia said. "Because at this moment we see that outside there, sometimes when we hear about Russia, they will think about something negative... But when we come here, like I myself come here, I learn; I have new friends coming from Russia, and then I can learn everything, like a lot of things from Russia."